oric_dan:
PapaG:
OP, you notice how analog design is really still an "art" [meaning 1/2 subjective and
based upon personal experience, :-)].While there can be some "art" associated with design of analog circuits, we're talking primarily about a digital switch here and the design procedure is not that mysterious.
Unfortunately, although we're only building a digital switch, we're using an analog
component to do it, so we need to pay attention to the analog characteristics.
That's what all those resistors are for.
Well, my first job out of university was with Texas Instruments on their 7400 logic family team and I can assure you that all those ICs have transistors and resistors inside and the same design criteria that you use with discrete components apply. Technically speaking, a transistor in saturation is not an analog component.
I get your point, I just don't rely on magic when science will do the job. 